MWC 2017: Samsung announces Galaxy Tab S3, Galaxy Book running Windows and upcoming Unpacked event

Samsung was expected to announce its next Galaxy flagship smartphone, but it chose to announce a bunch of other products at the Mobile World Congress 2017 in Barcelona. While the invite and some leaks already gave us a hint about the upcoming Galaxy Tab S3, the company announced two Windows based tablets, a new updated VR headset and commitment towards 5G network.

Let’s start with the hardware first. The Galaxy Tab series was long overdue to get a flagship, and we have the Tab S3. Taking up where the Tab S2 left off, the new model offers promising upgrade. There is a four speaker system tuned by AKG audio. According to Samsung, each speaker features an auto rotate stereo capability which redirects sound depending on how you hold the tablet. The tablet supports Vulcan API so graphics will be smooth. This tablet is definitely great for media consumption.

The company has again used a 9.7-inch Super AMOLED panel with a 2048×1536 pixel resolution and HDR support. As for the core hardware, there is Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor, 4GB RAM and 32GB of internal storage (expandable up to 256GB). There is a 6,000mAh battery that is said to offer 12 hours of video playback, and of course you get fast charging via a USB Type-C port. There is a also an S-Pen for the tablet that supports all the features from the Galaxy Note series. Samsung also announced a partnership with Staedler to make a unique Noris pencil shaped S-Pen. There is also a keyboard cover that uses a pogo-pin style magnetic connector so you can use the tablet for some productivity tasks.

Galaxy Tab S3 specifications:

• 9.7-inch Super AMOLED 2048 x 1536 resolution panel, 10-bit HDR support
• Snapdragon 820 chipset, Adreno 530
• 4GB RAM
• Quad stereo speakers tuned by AKG
• S Pen stylus (bundled)
• Android 7.0 Nougat with Samsung Grace UX
• 13MP, f/1.9 rear camera, with LED flash
• 5MP, f/2.2 front camera
• 32GB storage
• microSD card slot
• Dual-band Wi-Fi, LTE, USB Type-C 3.1
• 6,000 mAh battery

Samsung also announced a new range of Windows tablets called the Galaxy Book, replacing the TabPro S. The Galaxy Book 10 and Book 12 look similar to the Tab S3, but offer different specifications and dimensions. Both run on Windows 10 and come with their own set of S-Pen and a slightly different keyboard accessory, but both are available as a bundle with the tablet. The 10-inch model offers an Intel 7th-generation Core m3 processor with 4GB RAM and up to 128GB of storage. On the other hand the 12-inch model offers a 7th-generation Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of storage.

Galaxy Book 10 specifications:

• 10.6-inch TFT FHD 1920×1280 resolution
• 7th Gen Intel Core m3 processor, 2.6GHz
• 4GB RAM
• 64GB/128GB storage
• microSD up to 256GB
• 10 hour battery with Fast Charging support
• Wi-Fi, LTE, Bluetooth 4.1, GPS + GLONASS, USB 3.1(Type-C)
• Windows 10
• 5MP front camera

Galaxy Book 12 specifications:

• 12-inch Super AMOLED 2160×1440 resolution, 10-bit HDR support
• 7th Gen Intel Core i5 processor, 3.1GHz
• 4GB/8GB RAM
• 128GB/256GB storage
• microSD up to 256GB
• 10hour battery with Fast Charging support
• Wi-Fi, LTE, Bluetooth 4.1, GPS + GLONASS, USB 3.1(Type-C)
• Windows 10
• 13MP rear 5MP front camera

Samsung also spoke about how it investing heavily in 5G connectivity. The company is already working on providing hardware including receivers and routers for the next-generation network. Testing in Japan and the US have already begun. It has partnered with Verizon network in the US and is expected to work closely with the company to deploy 5G connectivity ‘very soon.’

Samsung also announced that it will be bringing a new VR headset. It recently introduced an updated version of the Gear VR, and now it gets a controller. The controller comes with a built in touch-pad. The company didn’t say much about it, only that it is open to developers and should be coming out this year.

Last, but not the least, Samsung announced that it will host a special Unboxed event on 29 March, and you know what that means. Galaxy S8 will be announced next month. So amrk your calendars.

Read our complete coverage of the Mobile World Congress 2017

The post MWC 2017: Samsung announces Galaxy Tab S3, Galaxy Book running Windows and upcoming Unpacked event appeared first on Tech2.

from http://tech.firstpost.com/news-analysis/mwc-2017-samsung-announces-galaxy-tab-s3-galaxy-book-running-windows-and-upcoming-unpacked-event-364338.html